New energy policy dictates building temperatures

May 11, 2001

KALAMAZOO -- The new mantra at Western Michigan University
may soon be "don't touch that dial."

Although Michigan residents face their first big hike in energy
prices this month, WMU has been battling rising energy costs
for several years. As part of an ongoing effort to control those
costs, the University recently instituted a campuswide temperature
set point.

During the summer cooling season, building temperatures must
be set at 76 degrees. In cold weather, the set point is 70 degrees.

"Our energy costs have risen by more than $2 million
in the last year alone," says Carl Newton, assistant director
of maintenance services, who is coordinating the set point implementation.
"And that rise is despite a variety of energy reduction
initiatives we've already implemented. We're counting on the
campus community to pitch in and help reduce consumption."

According to Newton, the 70/76 set point is more moderate
than those implemented around much of the nation during the 1970s
oil crisis. The industry standard at that time, he notes, was
68 degrees in the winter and 78 degrees in the summer. Even today,
federal law mandates that temperatures in California federal
buildings be set at 78 degrees during the cooling season.

"We understand that individual physical makeups are different,
and we tried to find a set point where everyone will be reasonably
comfortable," says Newton. "However, the change may
require a bit of a sacrifice from all of us. At this point, there's
no alternative."

Over the next few weeks, staff members from maintenance services
will adjust temperatures in some 50 campus facilities with computer-controlled
heating and cooling systems. Faculty, staff and students in spaces
with older systems are being asked to comply voluntarily.

Maintenance service staff members will begin random checks
of thermostat settings in offices around campus this summer.
Space heaters are forbidden under the new policy, and Newton
asks that members of the campus community with personally owned
space heaters take them home immediately. University-owned space
heaters will be collected over time.

"We want to encourage people to see this as a positive
change for conservation and preservation of the environment,"
Newton says. "Our office will let the campus community know
about the most accommodating building occupants.

"We also hope that people will learn more about energy
reduction through the University's policies, and will perhaps
institute some of those same approaches in their homes. Energy
costs are going to be a big issue for some time to come."